Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey has reportedly set October as a target for his injury return.
The Ghana international was ruled out for at least six weeks last month after he sustained a groin injury in training.
Partey subsequently missed Arsenal's 3-1 victory over Man United and he was left out of the Ghana squad for games against the Central African Republic and Liberia.
Despite beginning the recovery process, Partey will miss the rest of September, ensuring that he will be absent from Premier League games against Everton, Tottenham Hotspur and Bournemouth.
Partey is also sidelined for next week's Champions League opener against PSV Eindhoven as well as an EFL Cup meeting with Brentford on September 27.
According to the Evening Standard, Arsenal are not willing to rush Partey back from injury, but the player is hopeful of returning to action next month.
Partey may struggle to return in time for a Champions League meeting with Lens on October 3 and a Premier League clash with Manchester City on October 8.
However, October's international break will give Partey valuable time to build up his fitness ahead of Premier League games against Chelsea and Sheffield United, which will take place either side of a European encounter with Sevilla.
Mikel Arteta will be keen to have Partey available after the 30-year-old demonstrated his versatility in the opening few weeks of the season.
Partey started Arsenal's first three Premier League games as a right-back, helping the club get off to a positive start.
In addition to Partey's absence, Arteta is also without the services of summer signing Jurrien Timber, who is out for an extended period after sustaining an anterior cruciate ligament injury last month.
Arsenal have at least been boosted by Mohamed Elneny's return to training, as the Egyptian continues to work his way back from a long-term knee injury.
The 31-year-old has been sidelined for nine months, and there is seemingly hope that he could return to action by the end of the month, potentially in the EFL Cup encounter with Brentford.
Arteta, meanwhile, will be fully focused on preparing his side for Sunday's Premier League fixture against Everton at Goodison Park. body check tags ::
